honoring service & sacrifice the flagpole...robert gates and army chief of staff general george...
TRANSCRIPT
Always�the�highlight�of�the�Hall�of�Fame�Luncheon
is�the�introduction�of�the�Hall�of�Fame�Inductees.
In�keeping�with�the�tradition�of�inducting�Army
women�and�groups�of�women�that�have�blazed�the
trail� for� those� behind� them,� the� Foundation
selected� “Female� Firsts:� � Women� Who� Broke
Barriers.”��This�year�the�Foundation�posthumously
inducted� Sergeant� Major� Carolyn� James� and
Command�Sergeant�Major�Yzetta�Nelson,�the�first
female� Sergeant� Major� and� the� first� female
Command� Sergeant� Major,� respectively.� Also
honored�was�General� (Ret)�Ann�Dunwoody,� the
first�female�four-star�general.�In�addition�to�the
individual�honorees,�the�Foundation�recognized
the�accomplishments�and�extraordinary�service�of
the�Women�Who�Served�in�the�Korean�War.
Sergeant�Major�Carolyn�James�(1910-1991)�joined
the�Army�in�1945.�In�1952,�she�was�one�of�the�first
WACs�assigned�to�Korea�during�the�war.�During�her
tour�in�Korea,�she�was�the�secretary�to�Gen.�James
Van�Fleet,�commander�of�the�8th�Army�forces.�They
both�served�under�the�command�of�General�of�the
Army�Douglas�MacArthur.�SGM�James�became�the
first�in�the�WAC�promoted�to�grade�E-8.�Therefore,
she�was�the�first�WAC�promoted�to�master�sergeant
(or�first�sergeant).�In�1960,�she�was�the�first�WAC
promoted�to�sergeant�major,�E-9,�while�assigned�to
Headquarters,�U.S.�Army�Air�Defense�Command,
Colorado�Springs.�She�died�May�8,�1991�in�Colorado
Springs,�Colorado.
Command� Sergeant� Major� Yzetta� Nelson� (1923-
2011)�faithfully�served�her�country�for�26�years.�In
1968,�while�assigned�to�the�WAC�Training�Battalion,
she�became� the� first�WAC� to�achieve� the� rank�of
Command�Sergeant�Major.�Upon�retirement�from
the�military,� she� continued� her� involvement� and
leadership�in�the�Women's�Army�Corps.�She�died
May�14,�2011�at�Brooklyn�Center,�Minnesota.�
Sergeant� Major� of� the� Army� (Ret)� Ken� Preston
accepted�the�award�on�behalf�of�SGM�James�and
CSM� Nelson.� SMA� Preston� served� as� the� 13th
Sergeant�Major�of�the�Army�and�is�distinguished�as
being�the�longest�serving�SMA�with�more�than�seven
years�in�the�position.
General�Ann�Dunwoody�was�the�first�woman�in�U.S.
military�and�uniformed�service�history�to�achieve�a
four-star�officer�rank,�receiving�her�fourth�star�on
November�14,�2008.�
In�2005,�Gen�Dunwoody�became�the�Army's�top-
ranking�female�when�she�received�the�promotion�to
lieutenant�general�and�became�the�Army's�Deputy
Chief�of�Staff,�G-4�(logistics).�She�was�nominated�as
Commanding� General,� U.S.� Army� Materiel
Command,�by�President�George�W.�Bush�on�June
23,�2008,�and�confirmed�by�the�Senate�one�month
later.� On� November� 14,� 2008,� Gen� Dunwoody
became�the�first�woman�in�U.S.�military�history�to
achieve� the� rank� of� four-star� General.� Her
promotion�ceremony�was�held�at�the�Pentagon,�with
introductory�speeches�by�U.S.�Secretary�of�Defense
Robert� Gates� and� Army� Chief� of� Staff� General
George�W.�Casey.� (continued on page 4)
Honoring Service & Sacrifice
Spring�2013 The�Newsletter�of�the�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation Volume�LXIV�No.�1
The�Flagpole
With� pride,� I� can� report� to� you� that� we� have� had
another�successful�six�months�since�my�last�update�to
you.� We� continue� to� expand� our� outreach
opportunities�and�thus�the�work�of�the�Foundation.�
We�are�helping�more�Army�women�and�their�children
fulfill� their� education� goals.�We� are� building�more
relationships� with� corporate� America,� and� we
continue� to� strengthen� our� relationships� with� our
fellow�military�groups�who�share�our�principles.
None�of�this�is�possible�without�your�support,�and�I
am�truly�grateful�for�it.
A�few�weeks�ago,�during�Women’s�History�Month,�we
held�our�annual�Women�in�Transition�Symposium�and
Hall�of�Fame�Luncheon�in�Washington,�D.C.�It�was�a
wonderful�event.�We�appreciate� the�support�of�our
sponsors,� guest� speakers,� panel� members,
participants,�and�our�staff.
With�our�board’s� strong� support,�we�expanded� the
number� and� types� of� scholarships� we� awarded.
Nineteen� Army� women� and� ten� of� their� children
received�help�to�advance�their�education.�For�the�first
time,� scholarships� were� awarded� for� certificate
programs.
Our� symposium� panelists� shared� sound,� practical
advice� about� transitioning� to� jobs� in� or� out� of� the
Army.�Our�Hall�of�Fame�luncheon�honored�women
who� broke� barriers� and� the�women�who� served� in
Korea,� often� called� the� “Forgotten�War.”� We� paid
tribute�to�these�soldiers�just�days�after�the�passing�of
the� last�surviving� female�POW�from�World�War�II,
Mildred�Dalton�Manning.�An�Army�nurse,�she�was�one
of�the�“Angels�of�Bataan�and�Corregidor.”�
The�stories�of�these�brave�and�accomplished�women
underscore� the� importance� of� the� Foundation’s
mission:�to�honor�women�who�served�in�the�Army�and
preserve�their�history.�To�that�end,�we�are�following
the�advice�of�a�long-time�friend.
At�our�inaugural�symposium�four�years�ago,�Lt.�Gen.
(Ret)� John� “Mike”� McDuffie� emphasized� the
importance�of�networking�to�further�one’s�reach�and
advance�a�career.�He�was�addressing�a�group�of�Army
women�who�were�transitioning�to�other�jobs�or�would
do� so� in� the� future.�We� applied� that� advice� on� an
organizational�level�to�further�the�Foundation’s�reach.
We�are�growing�and�leveraging�our�relationships.
Last�fall,�for�example,�we�supported�the�Army�Nurse
Corps�Association� at� their�October�meeting� in� San
Antonio.�We�again�exhibited�at�the�Association�of�the
US� Army� annual� meeting� and� convention.� We
continue�our�support�to�the�Army�Women’s�Museum
at�Fort�Lee�and�provide�financial�support�for�specific
projects� they� need.� Our� corporate� relationships
continue�to�grow�and�this�year�we�have�begun�building
a�relationship�with�the�Walt�Disney�Co.�
Now�is�a�particularly�exciting�time�for�women�in�the
military.�They�will�be�able�to�compete�for�a�wider�array
of� jobs� and� leadership� positions.� Women� will� be
officially�recognized�for�what�they�have�been�doing�for
centuries:�defending�our�nation.
As�Gen.�(Ret.)�Gordon�Sullivan�reminded�us�at� the
Hall� of� Fame� luncheon,� British� General� Lord
Cornwallis� recognized� the� contributions� of� women
over� 230� years� ago,� when� he� observed,� “We� may
destroy�all�the�men�in�America,�and�we�shall�still�have
all�we�can�do�to�defeat�the�women.”
Warmest�Regards,
Dee�Ann�McWilliams
MG,�USA�(Ret)
President,�Army�Women’s�Foundation
President’s Message
President’s�Message 1
Female�Firsts 1
From�the�Executive�Director 2
Faces�of�the�Fallen 2
Bronze�Memorial�Plaque 2
Like�Us�on�Facebook 2
5th�Annual�Army�Women�
in�Transition�Symposium 3
5th�Annual�Hall�of�Fame�Award�Luncheon 4
Legacy��Scholarships 5
Upcoming�Events 6
Giving 6
Inside This Edition
1
Female Firsts:Trailblazers in the U.S. Army
MG (Ret) Dee McWilliams, USA,
General (Ret) Ann E. Dunwoody, USA,
Fred Wacker, Director & COO, The Home Depot
Foundation as General Dunwoody accepts the
AWF Hall of Fame award.
Spring�2013 The�Flagpole
2
SGT Donna R. Johnson
Sergeant� Donna� R.
Johnson,� 29,� of
Raeford,� NC� died
October� 1,� 2012� in
Khost,� Afghanistan
along� with� two� other
soldiers� of� injuries
suffered� when� an
insurgent�detonated�a
suicide�vest�while�they
were� on� dismounted
patrol.� They� were� all� assigned� to� the� 514th
Military�Police�Company,�60th�Troop�Command,
Winterville,�NC.�
A� total� of� 14� people,� including� an� Afghan
translator� and� 4� Afghan� police� officers,� were
killed�in�the�attack,�when�a�suicide�bomber�drove
his� explosive-laden� motorcycle� into� a� crowd
where�a�joint�U.S.-Afghan�patrol�was�operating.
Three�American�soldiers�and�about�60�Afghan
civilians�were�reported�to�have�been�wounded�in
the�attack.�The�Taliban�contacted�the�Western
media�afterwards�to�take�credit�for�the�carnage.
SGT�Johnson� joined� the�North�Carolina�Army
National� Guard� in� 2006.� She� had� previously
deployed�to�Iraq�from�2007�to�2008.�Staff�Sgt.
Johnson's�awards�and�decorations�included�the
Bronze�Star�Medal�posthumous,�the�Purple�Heart
posthumous,�Army�Commendation�Medal,�Army
Good�Conduct�Medal,�National�Defense�Service
Medal,� Afghanistan� Campaign� Medal� with
Bronze�Service�Star,�Iraq�Campaign�Medal�with
Bronze�Service�Star,�Global�War�on�Terrorism
Service�Medal,�Armed�Forces�Reserve�Medal�with
M� Device,� 2,� Noncommissioned� Officers
Professional�Development�Ribbon,�Army�Service
Ribbon,�Overseas�Service�Ribbon,�NATO�Medal
posthumous,�North�Carolina�Meritorious�Service
Medal� posthumous,� 1,� Combat� Action� Badge,
Driver�and�Mechanic�Badge,�Bar,�Driver-W�(for
wheeled� vehicles),� Combat� and� Special� Skill
Badge� Basic� Marksmanship� Qual� Badge,� Bar,
Weapon:� Rifle� (Inscription:� Rifle),� Expert,
Overseas�Service�Bar,�2.
Donna�leaves�behind��her�spouse,�Tracy�Joe�Dice
of�Raeford;�parents,�Mr.�Philas�Ray�Johnson�and
Mrs.�Sandra�Guiton�Johnson�of�Raeford;�sister,
Rene�Anne�Johnson�Albattrawi�of�Raeford;�and
godchildren,�Jason�and�Hanna.«
CPT Sara M. Knutson CullenCaptain� Sara� M.
Knutson�Cullen,�27,�of
Eldersburg,� MD,� died
March� 11,� 2013� in
Kandahar,�Afghanistan.
She� was� among� five
crew�members� killed
when� their� UH-60
Black�Hawk�helicopter
crashed� while� on� a
training�mission�using
night� vision� goggles.� A� sudden� storm� and
powerful�winds�are�believed�to�be�what�brought
their�chopper�down.
She� was� assigned� to� Headquarters� and
Headquarters� Company,� 3rd�Combat�Aviation
Brigade,� 3rd� Infantry� Division,� Hunter� Army
Airfield,�GA.
Capt.�Knutson,�a�2003�graduate�of�Liberty�High
School�in�Eldersburg,�was�a�law�student�at�West
Point�and�was�also�a�member�of�the�Judo�team.
She� married� a� former� Black� Hawk� pilot� in
November� 2012� and� had� been� serving� in
Afghanistan�for�two�months.�Sara�made�it�clear
to�her�family�that�she�didn’t�join�the�Army�to�sit
behind�a�desk.�She�wanted�to�fly�helicopters�or�be
an�MP.�Her�Mother�received�an�email�from�her
the�night�of�the�crash�saying�“Got�to�go�mom,�got
to�go�fly”.�
She�is�survived�by�her�husband,�Christopher,�and
her�parents�Bill�and�Lynn�Knutson.«
SPC Brittany B. GordonSpecialist� Brittany� B.
Gordon,� 24,� of� St.
Petersburg,� FL.� Died
October� 13,� 2012� in
Kandahar,�Afghanistan,
of� wounds� suffered
when� enemy� forces
attacked�her�unit�with
an�improvised�device.
She� was� assigned� to
the� 572� Military
Intelligence� Company,� 2nd� Stryker� Brigade
Combat�Team,�2nd�Infantry�Division,�Joint�Base
Lewis-McChord,�Washington.
After�high�school,�Gordon,�who�had�expressed
an�interest�in�political�science�and�law,�spent�a
year�at�the�University�of�Florida�before�setting
her�sights�on�a�military�career.�Her�dream�was
to� serve� because� she� wanted� to� make� a
difference.�She�graduated�from�basic�training
in�2010�and�spent�a�year�in�Seattle�before�going
to�Afghanistan.
She�is�survived�by�her�mother�Brenda�Gordon,
and�her� father,�St.�Petersburg�Assistant�Police
Chief�Cedric�Gordon.«
Faces of the Fallen
Are�you�part�of�the�social�media
craze?�If�so,�become�a�fan�of�the
Army�Women’s�Foundation�page
on� Facebook!�We� hope� to� hear
from�you�soon!
The�Bronze�Memorial�Plaque�program�offers�the
opportunity� to� permanently� honor� deceased
members�of�the�Armed�Forces,�their�friends�and
family,�and�the�fallen�heroes�of�current�conflicts
by�placing�their�name�on�a�bronze�plaque�that�is
located�at�the�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Museum�at
Fort�Lee,�Virginia.�Donations�in�any�amount�are
welcome� and� will� be� held� until� the� required
minimum�of�$100�for�the�individual�is�reached.
The� plaques� are� cast� bi-annually,� and� once
completed,� all� proceeds� from� the� Bronze
Memorial�Plaque�program�will�be�used�to�further
the�mission�of� the�Army�Women’s�Foundation
and� its� programs.�We� are� currently� accepting
names� and� contributions� for�Plaque�XVII� and
will�continue�to�through�December�31,�2014.«
Bronze MemorialPlaque
The� general� public� rarely� has� the� opportunity� to
speak�with�women�in�today’s�Army.�Army�women
remain�a�mystery�to�most�people.�We�are�trying�to
change�that,�to�put�a�“face”�on�Army�women.�
We� recently� had� a� wonderful� opportunity� to� let
people�see�what�being�an�Army�woman�means.�The
Disney/ESPN�Corporation�used�a�Spring�Training
baseball�game�at�the�Wide�World�of�Sports�complex
in�Orlando�to�honor�military�service.�We�were�one
of� three� non-profits� invited� to� participate� in� this
first�event�of�its�kind.�Our�President,�Major�General
(Ret)� Dee� McWilliams� joined� with� Active� duty,
Reservists,�Guard,�Veterans�and�their�families�from
across�the�area�attended�to�watch�the�Braves�beat
the�Astros�in�a�tight�game.
Thanks� to� 1st� Vice� President� CSM� (Ret)� Cindy
Pritchett,�our�information�table�inside�the�Stadium
was�staffed�by�eight�soldiers�from�the�Orlando�area.
The�volunteers,�all�enlisted�soldiers,�willingly�and
readily� gave� up� their� Saturday� to� represent� the
Army�Women’s�Foundation,�and�to�tell�their�stories.�
These�women�represent�the�women�in�today’s�Army.
Standing�tall,�confident�and�proud�of�their�service
in�the�Army,�they�were�an�impressive�group.�They
shared�their�experiences�with�Disney�staff�and�the
public�who�stopped�by�our�table.�They�spoke�with
parents�who�wanted�to�introduce�their�daughters�to
them.�They�truly�put�a�face�on�women�serving�today.
And�yet,�when�asked�why�these�women�joined�the
Army,� their� answers� are� very� similar� to� the
responses� we� received� when� we� conducted� a
research�study� in�partnership�with�George�Mason
University� several� years� ago.� In� that� study,�Army
women�were�asked�why�they�joined�the�Army.�And
the�number�one�reason�was�to�“serve�my�country.”
The� second� reason� was� to� get� an� education.� The
responses� I� heard� were� the� same.� All� of� the
volunteers�were�motivated�by�patriotism;�and�many
were�taking,�or�had�taken,�advantage�of�educational
programs�in�the�Army.�One�was�working�on�a�college
degree� and� others� had� obtained� them.� The� Army
women�who�served�in�past�years�laid�the�Foundation
for� Army� women� of� today,� just� as� today’s� Army
women�are�doing�for�the�future.�Those�people�who
spoke�with�CSM�Pritchett’s�volunteers�will�not�soon
forget�them.�There�was�no�question�that�the�visitors
went�away�with�new�appreciation�for�the�dedication
and�competence�of�women�in�the�Army.
Wherever�the�Foundation�goes,�we�want�to�tell�the
stories�of�Army�women�and�we�want�to�put�a�“face”
on� the� women� who� serve.� The� Army� Women’s
Foundation�is�here�to�help�spread�the�word�about
the�service�and�sacrifice�of�Army�women.�Mission
accomplished�in�Orlando!�Hooah!
Peggy�Trossen
Executive�Director
From The Executive Director
The�Newsletter�of�the�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation Volume�LXIV�No.�1
3
5th Annual Army Women in Transition Symposium
Members,�supporters�and�guests�of�the�U.S.�Army
Women’s� Foundation� gathered� in� Washington,
D.C.,�on�March�12�to�celebrate�the�contributions
women� have� made� to� the� military� and� to� look
toward�their�future�prospects.
The�stories�they�shared�re-enforced�the�patriotic
fabric�of�the�nation�that�women�helped�to�weave,
and� highlighted� still� more� opportunities� for
women�in�military�and�civilian�jobs.
The�Army�Women’s�Foundation�welcomed�about
200� participants� to� its� 5th� Annual� Symposium
and�Hall�of�Fame�awards�and�luncheon�held�in�the
stately� Cannon� Caucus� Room� in� the� Cannon
House�Office�Building�on�Capitol�Hill.�
Each� year,� during�Women’s�History�Month,� the
Foundation�presents� its�annual�Army�Women�in
Transition� symposium,� and� honors� the
contributions� and� achievements� of� women� who
serve�in�the�Army�by�inducting�a�select�few�into�the
Foundation’s� Hall� of� Fame.� This� year’s� Hall� of
Fame�inductees�included�the�women�who�served�in
the�Korean�War�and�“female�firsts”�Gen.�(Ret.)�Ann
Dunwoody;�and�posthumous�honors� to�Sergeant
Major� Carolyn� James,� the� first� female� sergeant
major,� and� Command� Sergeant� Major� Yzetta
Nelson,�the�first�female�Command�Sergeant�Major.�
The�Foundation�also�awards�scholarships�to�help
Army�women�and�their�children�further�prepare
for� their� careers� in� or� out� of� the�military.� This
year,� the� Foundation� awarded� 29� scholarships,
more�scholarships�than�it�ever�has�before,�and�it
expanded�the�list�of�eligible�programs�to�include
certificate� programs.� Sponsorships� from
businesses,�the�Foundation’s�Board�of�Directors,
the�Association�of� the�US�Army,�MG�(Ret.)� Jan
Edmunds,� and� institutes� of� higher� education
helped�to�fund�the�event�and�programs.
While�it�is�tradition�that�the�symposium�occurs�in
March,�this�year�is�unique�because�the�Pentagon
has�lifted�its�policy�that�prohibited�women�from
serving� in� direct� combat� roles.� Over� the� next
several�years,�this�will�present�more�opportunities
for� women� in� the� military.� At� the� same� time,
however,�the�military�will�downsize.
Lieutenant�General�Howard
B.�Bromberg,�Deputy�Chief
of� Staff,� G-1,� US� Army,
delivered�keynote�speech�at
the�symposium.�Foundation
President�Maj.�Gen.� (Ret.)
Dee�Ann�McWilliams,�said
Lt.�Gen.�Bromberg�has�the
reputation� as� “a� soldier’s
soldier.”
Lt.�Gen.�Bromberg�recounted
the�contributions�of�women,
from� Deborah� Samson’s
military� service� in� the
Continental�Army�during�the�American�Revolutionary
War,� to� the� heroic� efforts� of� current� era� soldiers,
including�Silver�Star�recipients�Leigh�Ann�Hester�and
Monica�Brown.
The� common� thread�dating� back� to� 1776� to� the
present� is� one� of� service� and� sacrifice,� where
women�put�the�needs�of�their�fellow�countrymen
first,�Lt.�Gen.�Bromberg�said.
The�theme�for�this�year’s�Army�Women�in�Transition
symposium�was�Re-Focusing Your Future!
Transition,�said�symposium�moderator,�MG�(Ret.)
Donna�Barbisch,�is�about�change.�Life�is�changing,
and�we� can� let� it� happen� to� us,� or�we� can� take
steps�to�shape�the�outcome.�Ending�the�combat
exclusion�rule�may�or�may�not�affect�a�soldier’s
career.�The�end�of�combat�in�the�Middle�East�may
change� opportunities.� Education� can� make� a
difference�to�the�individual�and�the�world,�she�said.
The� symposium� consisted� of� two� panels� that
examined�the�military�and�civilian�opportunities
available�to�women�who�serve�in�the�Army,�and
how�those�women�can�influence�their�futures.�As
CW5� Phyllis� Wilson,� command� chief� warrant
officer�of�the�Army�Reserve�said,�“Changes�are�on
the�horizon�for�women�in�the�military.�Those�with
talent�…�and�drive�will� only�be� limited�by� their
enthusiasm.”
Panel 1, “The Choice is Yours … Or Is It?”
addressed� how� to� adjust� to� and� impact
organizational�changes.
Panel 2, “In or Out, Landing On Your Feet,”
addressed�how�to�map�and�manage�a�career�in�the
military�or�in�the�civilian�sector.
Presenters� shared�common� thoughts�on�several
key�points:
n Lifting�the�policy�that�excludes�women�from
combat� arms� will� create� more� career
opportunities,�but�whether�or�not�the�change�in
policy� affects� each� woman� will� depend� on� her
military�occupation.�At�the�same�time�that�more
opportunities�will�emerge�for�women,�the�Army
will� reduce� its� total� number� of� personnel.� The
downsizing� will� be� conducted� in� an� organized
manner� to� maintain� a� quality� force.� Panelists
encouraged� soldiers� to� seek� mentors� and
leadership�roles�while� in� the�military�and�when
they�transition�to�the�civilian�workforce.
n Plan!� Plan!� Plan!� At� some� point,� every
member�of�the�military�will� leave�service,�either
through�demobilization,�separation�or�retirement.
Service�members�should�begin�preparing�to�move
to� a� civilian� career� long� before� they� anticipate
leaving� the� military.� Searching� for� jobs� in
companies� that� share� their� values,� such� as
teamwork,�can�lead�to�success.�Service�members,
however,�must�be�prepared�for�the�possibility�of
reduced� income� in� civilian� jobs�when� they� first
join�a�company.�One�0-6,�for�example,�earns�less
as�a�civilian�for�performing�the�same�job�she�had
as�an�Army�officer.
n The� VOW� Act� has� been� helpful� in� that� it
requires� the� services� to� better� prepare�military
members� to� transition� to� civilian� employment.
Even�soldiers�who�have�committed� to�a�civilian
employer�still�take�part�in�the�Army’s�mandatory
transition�program.�The�program�helps�soldiers
write� resumes,� network,� learn� to� market
themselves�and�build�their�skills.
n Many� companies� want� to� hire� veterans� but
don’t�always�know�how�to�find�the�job�candidates.
There� are� a� number� of� resources� to� connect
veterans� to� prospective� employers,� including
DoD’s�Hero�2�Hired�website,�(https://h2h.jobs),
where�employers�can�post�job�openings�on�the�site.
n Some�companies�that�have�made�a�strategic
effort� to� hire� veterans� have� Human� Resources
programs� that� reflect� an� understanding� of� the
qualifications� of� military� members� and� the
uniqueness�of�military�service.
n Successful� programs� exist� to� help� prepare
troops�for�civilian�jobs.�One�such�program�is�with
the� American� pipefitters� union,� which� offers
courses�to�troops�at�some�military�installations�to
prepare�troops�for�jobs�as�journeymen.
At�the�start�of� the�Hall�of�Fame�inductions�that
followed�the�symposium,�Gen.�(Ret.)�Gordon�R.
Sullivan,�president�and�chief�executive�officer�of
the�Association�of� the�United�States�Army,�said
that�throughout�the�nation’s�history,�women�have
contributed�their�talents�and�given�their�lives�for
their�country.�
Women� rose� to� the� challenge� in� intelligence,
aviation,� command� and� other� jobs� during� war
and�peace.
“It�hasn’t�been�easy,”�he�said.�“You�need�to�know
that�people�like�me�value�your�sacrifices�for�your
country�…�Being�a�soldier�is�not�easy�for�anybody.”
The� dedication� of� women� to� this� country� was
apparent�even�to�our�enemies�at�the�birth�of�the
nation,� Sullivan� said,� when� British� General
Charles� Cornwallis� commented� during� the
Revolutionary�War,�“�‘We�may�destroy�all�the�men
in�America,�and�we�shall�still�have�all�we�can�do�to
defeat�the�women.’�”«Lt. General Howard
Bromberg, Deputy
Chief of Staff,
G-1, US Army
Re-Focusing Your Future!
CW5 Phyllis Wilson, Command Chief
Warrant Officer of the Army Reserve
Panel 1: Moderator MG (Ret) Donna Barbisch, USAR;
Capt. Elise Hackstall, USAR, Walmart;
COL R. Jean Whalen, AN, Warrior Transition;
CW5 Phyllis Wilson, Command Chief
Warrant Officer of the Army Reserve
Panel 2: Moderator MG (Ret) Donna Barbisch, USAR;
Jennifer Poythress and LaShon Wilson of BPW
Joining Forces Mentoring Plus; Beryle Stipe,
Home Depot; COL (Ret) Kevin Preston,
The Walt Disney Company
The panelists of the 5th Annual
Army Women in Transition Symposium
Spring�2013 The�Flagpole
4
The� Army� Women’s� Foundation� honoredCongressman� J.� Randy� Forbes� at� a� ceremony� onCapitol�Hill�on�March�12.
During� a� networking� break� between� the� annualsymposium� and� the� Hall� of� Fame� luncheon,� theFoundation�recognized�Forbes’�longtime�support�ofthe�Army�Women’s�Foundation�and�the�US�military.�
The�congressman�has�been�a�forceful�advocate�of�astrong� national� defense� and� is� a� leading� voice� incalling� for� the� end� of� defense� budget� cuts� that� areknown�as�sequestration.�The�cuts�were�required�underlaw� that� Congress� passed� in� 2011.� He� also� hasconsistently�secured�the�space�for�the�Foundation’sannual� symposium� and� luncheon� in� the� CannonHouse�Office�Building.
Forbes,� a� Republican� who� represents� Chesapeake,Virginia,�chairs�the�Seapower�and�Projection�ForcesSubcommittee� of� the� House� Armed� ServicesCommittee.�He�called�for�greater�support�of�militarymembers� and� an� end� to� the� defense� budgetreductions.� Those� reductions� started� even� beforesequestration�and�endanger�service�members,�he�said.�
The�congressman�called�for�a�larger�defense�budget�sothat�no�man�or�woman�should�be�sent�into�harm’s�wayunless� they� are� properly� resourced,� trained� andequipped�so�that�they�have�the�highest�chance�possiblethat� they� will� return� home.� He� said,� too,� that� thecountry�must�keep�its�promises�to�veterans.
Congressman�Forbes�complimented�the�Foundation’swork,�saying,�“It’s�far�bigger�than�I�think�many�of�yourealize.”�«
AWF RecognizesCongressman Randy Forbes
Highlights and Notable Quotes
Female Firsts: Trailblazers in the U.S. Army (continued from page 1)
Among�her�other�notable�firsts,�she�became�the�first
woman�to�command�a�battalion�in�the�82nd�Airborne
Division�in�1992.�She�became�Fort�Bragg’s�first�female
general�officer�in�2000.�She�became�the�first�woman�to
command�the�Combined�Arms�Support�Command�at
Fort�Lee,�Virginia� in�2004.�Gen�Dunwoody� retired
from�the�Army�on�August�15,�2012.
In�her�acceptance�speech,�Gen�Dunwoody�thanked�the
Foundation�for�the�recognition�and�induction,�she�said
she�was�“humbled�to�be�joining�such�a�distinguished
group�of�Patriots…”��She�recognized�the�“incredible
cohort�of�women”�who�came�into�the�Army�at�the�same
time�she�did,�many�of�whom�were�in�the�room�as�they
were� the�brand�new�group�of�2nd�Lieutenants� that
were�the�first�to�lead�integrated�platoons.
Gen� Dunwoody� also� thanked� the� “generations� of
incredible�women�who�went�before�us�as�they�set�the
conditions�and�enforced�the�standards�that�led�to�the
opportunities�that�we�enjoy�today.�You�have�given�all
women�who�seek�to�serve�their�country�a�gift�beyond
measure—the�gift�of�unlimited�opportunity.”
She� acknowledged� today’s� active� duty� force
opportunities�and�challenges,�giving�them�this�advice,
“Find� your� passion;� have� an� unwavering� belief� in
yourself;�work�hard;� and�maybe�most� importantly,
always�do�the�right�thing�for�the�right�reason.”
Gen�Dunwoody�reflected�on�the�fact�that�she�was�not
really� ready� for� the� enormity� of� the� event� of� her
promotion�to�General�until�the�barrage�of�cards�and
letters� started� to� arrive.� She� received� letters� from
people�of�all�ages�and�walks�of�life�stating�how�happy
they�were�that�the�day�had�finally�arrived�for�the�Army
to�promote�a�woman�to�their�highest�grade.�She�read
a� portion� of� a� letter� she� received� from� a� Master
Sergeant�she�had�served�with�at�Fort�Bragg.�It�said
“Now�you�get�to�pin�on�our�nation’s�highest�military
rank� and� I� get� to� tell� my� five� and� seven� year-old
daughters�that�they�really�can�be�anything�they�want
to�be—even�a�general�in�the�United�States�Army.”
She�concluded�her�remarks�by�thanking�everyone�again
and�by�asking�the�audience�to�pray�for�the�deployed
men�and�women�for�their�success�and�safe�return.
Finally,� Major� General� (Ret)� Dee� McWilliams,
President�of�the�Army�Women’s�Foundation,�accepted
the�honor�on�behalf�of�the�Women�Who�Served�in�the
Korean�War.�Brigadier�General�(Ret)�Anna�Mae�Hays
was�scheduled�to�receive�the�honor�on�behalf�of�her
Korean� War� counterparts,� but� could� not� be� in
attendance� the� day� of� the� ceremony.� During� the
Korean�War,�BG�Hays�mobilized�with�the�4th�Field
Hospital� in� 1950�and�participated� in� the�notorious
Inchon�landing.�On�June�11,�1970,�she�became�the�first
woman�and�first�nurse�in�American�military�history�to
attain�general�officer�rank.�She�retired�in�1971.
This�year’s�induction�of�the�Army�Women�Who�Served
the�Korean�War�marks�the�60th�anniversary�of� the
conflict.� Although� this� conflict� is� often� called� “the
forgotten�war,”�it�marked�a�turning�point�for�American
Servicewomen� as� they� gained� increasingly� higher
positions�and�served�close�to�the�front�lines.�«
“It’s far bigger than I think many of yourealize.” —�Congressman�J.�Randy�Forbes,�R-Va.�on�the�work�of�the�Foundation.
“Changes are on the horizon for womenin the military. Those with talent … anddrive will only be limited by theirenthusiasm.” —�Chief�Warrant�Officer�5Phyllis�Wilson,�Command�Chief�WarrantOfficer�of�the�Army�Reserve,�commenting�onfuture�opportunities�for�women.
“We’re not going to put women or malesin positions where they are not set up forsuccess.” — LTG�Howard�Bromberg,�DeputyChief�of�Staff,�Army�G-1,�describing�theorganized�process�of�opening�new�combat�jobsto�women.
“Our Army women did it without thanks,they did it without awards, and they didit in an increasingly hostile environmentwith mixed messages coming from home– in a land that most Americans hadnever heard of, Korea.” —�Fred�Wacker,Director�&�COO,�The�Home�Depot�Foun-dation,�acknowledging�the�support�andmedical�care�Army�women�provided�to�UStroops�in�the�Korean�War.
“Find your passion; have an unwaveringbelief in yourself; work hard; and maybemost importantly, always do the rightthing for the right reason.” —�General(Ret.)�Ann�Dunwoody,�the�first�female�4-star,offering�advice�for�success.
BG (Ret) Gary Profit, Senior Director Military
Programs, Walmart, Randy Forbes, Congressman
from the Fourth District of VA, MG (Ret) Dee
McWilliams, and LTG (Ret) Mike McDuffie, Microsoft
Leon Harris, News Anchor,
ABC 7/WJLA-TV Washington D.C.
General Gordon Sullivan, USA (Ret),
former Chief of Staff of the Army and
President of the Association of the U.S. Army
Hall of Fame Awards
MG Dee McWilliams, USA (Ret), President, AWF
MG Dee McWilliams, USA (Ret) and Fred Wacker,
Director & COO, The Home Depot Foundation, and
Retired Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston
accepting the Hall of Fame Award on behalf of
deceased CSM Yzetta Nelson and SGM Carolyn Jones
Peggy Trossen, Executive Director, AWF
The�Newsletter�of�the�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation Volume�LXIV�No.�1
5
The�Foundation’s�Legacy�Scholarship�program�recognizes
the�importance�of�education�by�providing�financial�support
toward�under-graduate�degrees�to�Army�women�and�their
lineal� descendents.� Scholarships� are� based� on� merit,
academic�potential,�community�service�and�need�and�are
evaluated�by�the�AWF�Scholarship�Committee.�For�more
information,�visit�www.awfdn.org.
Twenty-nine�deserving�Army�women�and� their� children,
selected�from�an�applicant�pool�from�across�the�country,
received� the� Army� Women’s� Foundation� 2013� Legacy
Scholarship.� College� tuition� is� on� the� rise� and� financial
resources� are� declining,�making� scholarships� even�more
critical� to� students� today.� The� Legacy� Scholarships� are
available� for� tuition�assistance�at� the�community�college
level� or� four� year� academic� institutions:� Community
College/Certificate� Program� Legacy� Scholarships� are
awarded� in� amounts� up� to� $1,000.� Four� Year
College/University� Legacy� Scholarships� are� awarded� in
amounts�up�to�$2,500.
2013 AWF Legacy Scholarship Winners
Patricia Baisden Vicky Henderson Monica Holmes Bianca Jennings Chelsy Kovski-Swann Elizabeth Leneski Kelly Miller
Sharon O’Hara Sonja Reynolds Juanita Toomer Dezerae Valdez Rebekah Whitney JoAnn Wilbert
4-Year College
Community College/Certificate Program
Samantha Albertson Oscar Barrera Elizabeth Boynton Marcus Brumfield Paige Campbell Adrienne Gray Mishalei Griffith
Christa Higgins Kelly Loftus Taylor Merchant Jose’ Pagan Ashley Ross Cynthia Stinnett Christina Sung
Kristin Trim Christina Walker
6
Support the Foundation!An�annual�contribution�of�$25�or�more�entitles�you�and/or�your�Friend�to�receive�our�semi-annual�newsletter,�notices�of�events�and�reunions,�and�program�updates.
Name: ___________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________
Rank�(if�any): ___________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________
Donation Amount: $_______________�, directed as follows: (Check�one,�or�if�more�than�one,�specify�amounts�for�each.)
_______________�Program�Support�&�General�Operations
_______________�Bronze�Plaque�Memorial�Fund*��(Rank�and/or�Name�of�honoree:�_________________________________________________��)
_______________�Museum�Support
*Individuals�or�organizations�may�establish�a�memorial�fund�for�a�specific�person.�The�deceased�individual’s�name�is�placed�on�a�bronzed�memorial�plaque�once�the�minimum�$100�donation�is�reached.
The�Memorial�Plaque�is�dedicated�every�two�years—the�current�plaque�will�run�from�Jan.�1,�2013–Dec.�31,�2014;�you�may�add�names�of�persons�who�died�in�an�earlier�period.
Person to be Acknowledged: Method of Payment:
(Recipient�of�Friend’s�gift�or�next�of�kin�for�Memorial�Fund)� o Check�(payable�to�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation)
Name: ___________________________________________ o Visa��������������oMasterCard��������������o Discover
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The�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation�is�a�501(c)(3)�organization�and�your�contributions�are�tax�deductible.�Thank�you�for�your�support!�
Mail or fax this form to: U.�S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation��/��P.O.�Box�5030��/��Fort�Lee,�Virginia�23801-0300 / FAX: (804)�734-3077
April 21,�Marmora,�NJVietnam Veterans Tribute
http://www.awfdn.org/events/upcoming.shtml
May 8-9,�Richmond,�VAAUSA’s ILW Army Sustainment Symposium and
Exposition
www.ausa.org/meetings/2013
May 11,�Arlington,�VANational Museum of the United States Army Staff Ride:
War of 1812
armyhistory.org/events/
May 18,�Casper,�WYPromoting�Our�Women�Warriors�of�Wyomingwww.cheyenne.va.gov/
June 13-18,�Tampa,�FL33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games
www.va.gov/opa/speceven/wcg/index.asp
June 15,�Boston,�MAMassachusetts Conference for Women Veterans
www.mass.gov/veterans/women-veterans/conference-women-veterans/conference-for-women-vets.html
June 17-19,�Kansas�City,�MOAUSA ILW Mission Command Symposium
www.ausa.org/meetings/2013/
June 27,�Joint�Base�Andrews,�MDWomen Veterans Interactive 2013 Women Veterans
Golf Tournament
www.womenveteransinteractive.org/events.html
July 4,�NationwideIndependence Day
August 22-24,�Scottsdale,�AZWomen’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association 2013 67th
Annual Convention “ARMY WOMEN — PIONEERS”
www.armywomen.org/pdf/2013Convention.pdf
September 19,�Arlington,�VAMilitary Women in Transition Career Coaching
Workshop
academywomen.org/events
September 20-21,�Arlington,�VAOfficer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)
academywomen.org/events
November 9-11,�Washington,�DCVietnam Women's Memorial 20th Anniversary
Celebration
www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org/upcoming.php
Be�sure�to�visit�the�U.S.�Army�Women's�Museum�forupcoming�events!�www.awm.lee.army.mil
Upcoming Events
Army�Women’s�Foundation
P.O.�Box�5030�Fort�Lee,�VA�23801-0030
Phone:�804-734-3078
Fax:�804-734-3077
Email:�[email protected]
Web:�www.awfdn.org
FP Spring13
The Flagpole is�published�by�the�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation.�Views�and�opinions�are�those�of�the�authors�and�do�not�necessarily�reflect�those�of�the�Department�of�the�Army�or�Department�of�Defense.
Managing Editor: Peggy�Trossen;��Editor: April�Booth;��Contributing Editors: Dee�McWilliams,�Jenelle�Roberts,�Brenda�Armitage,�Debbie�Funk;�Design: Saros�Design
©�U.S.�Army�Women’s�Foundation�except�where�credit�is�otherwise�noted.
Army Women’s FoundationEst.�1969
Honoring�Service�and�Sacrifice
P.O.�Box�5030
Fort�Lee,�VA��23801-0030
Phone (804)�734-3078
Fax (804)�734-3077
www.AWFDN.org
While�visiting�our�website,�check�out�our�online�giftshop!
Board of DirectorsExecutive Council
Dee�Ann�McWilliams,�President
Cindy�Pritchett,�1st�Vice�President
Mary�Spring,�2nd�Vice�President
Belinda�Pinckney,�Treasurer
Diana�Huron,�Secretary
Members
Alice�Demarais Arlene�Greenfield
Doriot�Mascarich Vicki�Merryman
Jenelle�Roberts Isabelle�Slifer
Foundation StaffExecutive Director
Peggy�Trossen�([email protected])
Chief Administrative Officer
April�Booth�([email protected])
Administrative Associate
Brenda�Armitage�([email protected])